[autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag]’s team is denying [autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag]’s claim that the UFC lightweight champion used an IV to rehydrate after weighing in for his UFC 284 main event with Alexander Volkanovski.
In the aftermath of Makhachev’s (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) unanimous decision win over Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) in Saturday’s champion-vs.-champion showdown at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, City Kickboxing fighter and Volkanovski teammate Hooker made a hefty accusation toward “cheating dog” Makhachev.
Hooker accused Makhachev of using intravenous (IV) therapy to replenish after weigh-ins, which is an illegal practice under the rules put forth by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the UFC’s longtime drug testing partner.
USADA bans IV infusions and/or injections, making an exception only for those who received an IV “in the course of hospital admissions, surgical procedures or clinical investigations.”
Makhachev’s co-manager, Rizvan Magomedov, issued a response to MMA Junkie and denied any wrongdoing by hte fighter.
“We all know this is completely BS,” Magomedov said. “The guy is a loser. He’s salty and just looking for attention, and that’s it.”
Hooker (22-12 MMA, 12-8 UFC), who was cageside in Perth to support his teammate’s push for a simultaneous two-division title reign, has a history of his own with Makhachev.
Makhachev beat Hooker by first-round submission at UFC 267 in October 2021.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 284.